Bead Weaving Brightly Colored Beads to Celebrate!

Tammy’s Tips & Techniques: Celebrating the vibrancy of Cinco de Mayo and bead weaving up some fabulous colors!

photo: Getty Images

Cinco de Mayo – a day to observe the significant Mexican victory over the French in the battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862.

This landscape of Puebla City in Mexico combines ancient history with modern architecture. photo: Getty Images

In Puebla, they reenact this battle and celebrate on May, 5 each year. We’ve adopted their celebration, and in most cases, use this as a great time to drink beer and eat our favorite Mexican-inspired food. Turns out more beer is consumed in honor of Cinco de Mayo than St. Patrick’s Day!

Cultural Vibrancy

Puebla can also be celebrated for cultural accomplishments. Here are just a few:

Pottery originated in Puebla, Mexico.

Handcrafted, hand-painted Mexican pottery. photo: Getty Images

The city is credited with the Quetzal Folk Dance.

A section of a Mexican dresser’s dress during a Mexican celebration. Like all folk dancing, traditional Mexican dances provide a glimpse into the culture of the region. Not only do these dances from Mexico express the rhythms of the music, but also the vital colors woven into Mexican clothing and decoration. photo: Getty Images

We also have Puebla to thank for the amazingly delicious mole sauce, a spicy chocolate sauce you can find in any traditional Mexican restaurant across North America.

Brightly Colored Beads!

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo in our home, traditionally I make guacamole, pulled chicken enchiladas, and some special adult beverage. For us, it’s always been a great excuse to have a party, so thank you for that, Puebla! This year, I wanted to celebrate the vibrant colors found in art from Mexico. Here’s what’s on my bead board and my work in progress.

Materials:
Toho 2mm cube beads in the following opaque colors:

yellow

orange

light orange

periwinkle

dark royal blue

lime

Thread
Beading Needle
Clasp of your choice
Scissors

How To

To create a similar bracelet, start with a two-bead wide ladder as many beads long as you’d like.

Once your ladder is complete, begin flat herringbone.

Weave the colorbul beads in any pattern you like.

Another idea to consider — weave a pattern that represents the beautiful Mexican pottery as an homage to the culture emanating from the little town in Mexico called Puebla.